National News:

PM Modi Dedicates Projects Worth ₹5950 Crore in Gujarat

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated and launched various developmental projects valued at ₹5,950 crore in Gujarat's Mehsana district.
• Out of the 16 projects, 8 were inaugurated. These projects include the inauguration of the Western dedicated freight corridor and an expanded railway line in Ahmedabad, as well as a railway project by the Gujarat Railway Infrastructure Development Corporation, benefiting the Mandal-Bechraji Special Investment Zone.
• Additionally, various water-related projects were launched, such as Lake Recharging and Valasana barrage in Mehsana, the Lift Irrigation Project in Mahisagar, and water supply projects in Banaskantha and Mehsana.
• The expansion of the Naroda-Dahegam-Harsol-Dhansura road in Sabarkantha was also announced.

International News:

Chinese Vessel Begins Research Off the Coast of Sri Lanka Amid India's Concerns

• China's research vessel Shiyan 6 has arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a two-day research mission off the Sri Lankan coast in collaboration with Sri Lankan authorities.
• This development has raised concerns from India and the United States. Shiyan 6, the first Chinese research vessel focused on geophysical exploration, is set to operate for about 80 days, with 13 research teams pursuing 28 scientific research projects over 12,000 nautical miles.
• The marine scientific research will be conducted in partnership with Sri Lanka's National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) and the University of Ruhuna.

1971 Memorial in Bangladesh Honoring Indian Heroes

• In Ashuganj, Bangladesh, a memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 is nearing completion.
• This monument symbolizes the shared history and solidarity between Bangladesh and India. The memorial, expected to be completed by December, will bear the names of around 1,600 Indian soldiers who played a pivotal role in Bangladesh's quest for independence.
• Efforts are being made to inaugurate the memorial with the participation of both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina, aligning with the upcoming elections in both countries, set for March or April.

State News:

Manipur Celebrates Mera Houchongba 2023

• On October 28, 2023, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh joined the celebrations of Mera Houchongba in Imphal.
• This festival, celebrated during the month of 'Mera,' holds cultural and religious significance for the people of Manipur.
• The term 'Houchongba' signifies 'intermingling' and 'amalgamation,' reflecting the spirit of unity and goodwill among the diverse communities of Manipur.
• The festival is known for the exchange of gifts between the hill tribes and valley people, strengthening the bonds between these communities.

Kerala Becomes First State with Hallmarking Centers in Every District

• Kerala has achieved a significant milestone by inaugurating a hallmarking center in Idukki, making it the first Indian state to establish hallmarking centers in all 14 of its districts.
• This initiative, mandated by the Bureau of Indian Standards, aims to protect consumers from potential exploitation by unscrupulous jewelers.
• Hallmarking ensures the accurate determination of the proportionate content of precious metal in jewelry, artifacts, bullion, and coins, benefiting consumers in Kerala.

Important Days News:

National Unity Day

• October 31 is celebrated as National Unity Day in honor of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the "Iron Man of India."
• This day pays homage to Patel's contributions to India's unity and integrity.
• In 2014, the Government of India officially declared this day as National Unity Day.
• It serves as an opportunity to reaffirm the strength and resilience of the nation, demonstrating its capacity to withstand threats to its unity, integrity, and security.

Ranks & Reports News:

BigBasket Tops Fairwork Index for Gig Workers

• The Fairwork India 2023 Report evaluated 12 digital platforms, with BigBasket excelling in fair pay standards.
• However, Ola and Porter scored zero in fair work standards, highlighting the need for industry improvements.
• The report exposed disparities in fair pay, conditions, contracts, management, and representation among these platforms.
• Ola, Porter, Uber, Dunzo, Amazon Flex, and Flipkart scored poorly, with Ola and Porter receiving zero points in the Fairwork India Ratings 2023.

Books & Authors News:

PM Narendra Modi Releases Three Books at Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tulsi Peeth in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, where he performed prayers and sacred viewing at the Kanch Mandir.
• During this visit, he released three books that provide unique insights into Hinduism and its traditions.
• These books include 'Ashtadhyayi Bhashya,' 'Ramanandacharya Charitam,' and 'Bhagwan Shri Krishna ki Rashtraleela.'
• Tulsi Peeth, established by Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, is not just a religious institution but also a center for social service and education.

Awards News:

Tata Motors Wins ₹766 Crore Arbitration Award in Singur Plant Dispute

• Tata Motors has won a significant ₹766 crore arbitration award from the West Bengal Industrial Development Corp.
• Ltd (WBIDC) to conclude a prolonged dispute stemming from the closure of its Singur plant in 2008.
• Initially intended for manufacturing the Nano, the world's most affordable car, Tata Motors shifted its manufacturing unit to Sanand, Gujarat, in 2008.
• The arbitration award includes an 11% interest rate from September 2016 until full recovery, as well as ₹1 crore towards the cost of the proceedings.

Sports News:

Max Verstappen Dominates Mexico City Grand Prix, Sets New Season Victory Record

• Max Verstappen secured his record-breaking 16th victory of the season at the Formula One Mexico City Grand Prix.
• His win marked the third consecutive victory at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and the 51st career win, tying him for the fourth position in Formula One history with Alain Prost.
• Lewis Hamilton secured the second position, while Charles Leclerc finished third.

Lionel Messi Wins Eighth Ballon D'Or 2023

• Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmati were honored as the 2023 Ballon d'Or
• Messi secured his eighth Ballon d'Or, setting a new record, thanks to his pivotal role in leading Argentina to their first World Cup victory since 1986.
• This achievement places Messi three Ballons d'Or ahead of his rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jyothi Yarraji Clinches Gold in 100m Hurdles in Record Time

• At the 37th National Games, Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist Jyothi Yarraji and Tejas Shirse displayed their athletic prowess, breaking National Games records in the 100m and 110m hurdles events.
• Jyothi Yarraji set a new record by finishing the 100m hurdles in just 13.22 seconds, showcasing her incredible speed and technique.
• Tejas Shirse initially set the Games record in the 110m hurdles with a time of 13.80 seconds during the morning event and improved it further in the final, clocking in at 13.71 seconds.

Zahid Hussain From South Kashmir Clinches Silver At Asian Shooting Championship

• Zahid Hussain, hailing from Anantnag, Kashmir, secured the silver medal at the Asian Shooting Championship held in South Korea.
• He finished just 1.1 points behind the gold medalist, Kazakhstan's Malinovskiy Konstantin.
• This championship serves as a qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympics, offering a total of 24 Olympic quotas.

Science & Technology News:

New Mushroom Species Discovered in Western Ghats

• Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) in Kerala, India, have identified a new species of mushroom named Candolleomyces albosquamosus.
• This discovery, found on the JNTBGRI campus in the Western Ghats, adds to the limited number of species in the Candolleomyces genus.
• Characterized by its delicate appearance and honey-yellow cap, Candolleomyces albosquamosus is a bell-shaped mushroom with white woolly scale-like structures, making it distinct.

Aligarh Muslim University To Launch Its Own Satellite, Gets Nod From IN-SPACe

• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) is undertaking a pioneering space initiative called the 'SS AMU SAT' project, which has received approval from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe).
• Led by AMU's Robo Club, this project aims to develop a 3U CubeSat named after AMU's founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.
• The objectives of this project include studying economic growth in India's poorest districts using satellite imagery, testing in-house developed satellite sub-systems, and implementing image compression technology for multimedia transmission.